With just weeks to go until the end of the Albany legislative session, Gov. Kathy Hochul is prioritizing the passage of a measure that aims to crack down on what she says is young New Yorkers’ addiction to social media.

“I know about this crisis because New York teens have told me themselves, in their own words,” Hochul said during an Albany-based press conference Wednesday. “When you hear the pain in their voices, it hits you right here. Because we’re hardwired to just make life easier and more joyful. Childhood is supposed to be a joyful, happy time.”


What You Need To Know

  • Gov. Hochul is making a full court press to pass legislation that would change the way teenagers view content on social media

  • The bills would require age verification on certain apps and, in some cases, parental consent

  • Companies would also be required to change the way information shows up through an algorithmic feed

  • Recent reports show tech companies like Meta and Google have poured big money into lobbying efforts opposing the legislation

The governor is making a full court press to pass legislation that would change the way teenagers view content on social media.

The governor pointed to data that shows kids under the age of 18 are experiencing mental health issues, like anxiety and depression, directly linked to their time spent online.

The bills would require age verification on certain apps and, in some cases, parental consent.

Companies would also be required to change the way information shows up through an algorithmic feed. Hochul admitted even she struggled as a teenager.

“High school years can be tough. I wasn’t the cool kid on campus. There was a lot of loneliness, but I never had continual bombardment to reinforce those feelings. I could find escapes. I found other places to go. I had a job. I made pizza and chicken wings most of high school,” she said.

“These algorithms are like heat-seeking missiles that seek out and prey upon the insecurities and vulnerabilities of young users and they latch onto them and they exploit them for profit,” bill sponsor State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn) said.

But the deal is not yet done.

“We are, I hope, very close. We have urgency, a deep sense of urgency to act,” Gounardes added.

Recent reports show tech companies like Meta and Google have poured big money into lobbying efforts opposing the legislation.

A Siena College poll released Wednesday showed New York voters also back banning addictive feeds by a 63% to 20% margin.

“The voters are on her side on this issue, which she’s had on other issues even though it hasn’t necessarily helped her polling numbers but, I mean, Hochul on this issue is certainly on the side of voters,” pollster Steve Greenberg in an interview with NY1 said.

Hochul said she’s not giving up, and would like to go even further and ban kids from using their phones in school.

The governor also has the support of Democratic State Attorney General Letitia James, whose office helped author the legislation.